Villa idiosyncrasies

[Simon Ward]

I give you the winner Eamonn Deacey!

[Chico Hamilton III]

What about Charlie Athersmith, scampering up and down the wing - and scoring a goal - whilst carrying an umbrella?

[dave.woodhall]

What about Charlie Athersmith, scampering up and down the wing - and scoring a goal - whilst carrying an umbrella?

No he didn't.

[Chris Smith]

Who was that scruffy long haired clown who, in the early seventies, would escape the stewards and run to the centre circle before every kick off to shake hands with the captains and ref to chants of "Greebo, Greeeeeebo". ?

There was also a small black lad in a crombie who used to run into the penalty area as the players came out and dance about a bit before diving back into the Holte.

[E I Adio]

Colin Withers' favourite green jersey that he wore every week. He wore it until it was washed almost white, at which point he was told he had to replace it as it wasn't regulation colour anymore.

[Chico Hamilton III]

What about Charlie Athersmith, scampering up and down the wing - and scoring a goal - whilst carrying an umbrella?

No he didn't.

Unless anyone can prove he didn't, I'm sticking with the story.




"23 CHARLIE ATHERSMITH

(1891-1901) 311 apps, 86 goals

Like "Who shot JFK?", the question of whether or not Charlie Athersmith really spent part of one Villa game under an umbrella will now probably never be solved............."

[SarkGrime]

There was also a small black lad in a crombie who used to run into the penalty area as the players came out and dance about a bit before diving back into the Holte.

"Mascot!" (clap clap clap!)

With abundant woolly hair. He too sometimes made it to the centre circle and exchanged pleasantries with the captains and the ref with little more than a finger-wagging from the rozzers.

He finally came unstuck up at Wrexham where he was pursued by a large policeman and frogmarched off in spite of protests from the the Villa captain - Rioch I think.

[richard moore]

Dwight's collar turned up

Dalian wagging his fingers when he scored as he ran off towards the corner flag

Gary Shaw's non-celebration of goals

Ugo's loping giraffe like stride

[eric woolban woolban]

The claret and blue Mini Metro that used to drive around the perimeter of the pitch at half time.

Jimmy Rimmer illegally "marking" his six-yard area before the start of each half.

Alpay receiving a hero's reception at the end of each game, bowing to all 4 corners of Villa Park.

UNtil he wanted to leave.

[eric woolban woolban]

Southgate's fist of triumph when we won a game.

[LeeB]

Didn't Peter Withe used to get a bag of sweets off some old dear in the Holte?

[curiousorange]

Not aimed at a specific player, this, but many random players being sponsored by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. WTF was that, by the way?

[Chico Hamilton III]

Not aimed at a specific player, this, but many random players being sponsored by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. WTF was that, by the way?

It was a ferry operator. Travelled from Liverpool to Risso's personal boat house

[peter w]

Ruskin Hall, Aston Hall, Trinity Rd Enclosure, AV floodlights, 4 different stands, Brian Little, Andy Gray, Ron Saunders, The Motor Club, Terry Rutter, 0-2 v Luton, 2-2 v QPR, titles, triumphs, Bosko, Rotterdam, Spink, relegation, Sir Graham, Tranmere, Big Ron, Doug out, Doug going, Randy, MON.

[Bernie]

Didn't Peter Withe used to get a bag of sweets off some old dear in the Holte?

.....good one. I think she was in the old Witton Lane stand though?